Las Vegas, No Not That Las Vegas

Albuquerque to Las Vegas NM, Temp 38 feels warmer. 135 miles and 7000+ feet of climbing. Breakfast 5:45 am next door at the Village Inn. Load at 6:45 don't forget to sign in. Gatorade powder, put the unused portion of the powder in the zipper baggie open in your jersey packet. Luckily I won't sweat enough today to make a real mess, only a minor one. People are getting last minute repairs with Jim. Lots of activity. I am out on the road and soon catch up to Will and Sandra and ride with them until the first real good climb. I slowly pull away from them and I am riding much better then Sunday when I was really suffering. Four miles or so from the First SAG of the day James, Eric and Pat catch me from behind. James goes to the front and sets a pace that is a little fast but since it is a short way to the stop I hang in. I learn the Andrew is really suffering with altitude issues. When I am ready to leave I just set off for Madrid. Mike has told us that we shouldn't miss the MADrid HATTER as great pastries are to be had there. I set off from the break as soon as I am ready and stop for my goodies. James is in next telling me that he was chasing the light. Soon there is quite the crowd at the counter getting sticky buns, cookies and drinks. I opt for the bear claw made with apples and raisins and it came warmed up, delicious. A I get ready to leave Eric is away in front of me as I pass him all he says is "the light". I reach down and fire the little red power house up. As I come out of a couple of real fast twisty downhill sections I look back for Eric and he is not in sight. For me this is a day when I think I will be best off riding alone. The riders who do not stop for goodies in Madrid will be a half a step ahead of me the rest of the day including Andrew. I think if he gets into any trouble I won't be that far behind him. After lunch the sky clouds up for the first time the whole trip. Just keeping it from getting too hot. At the last SAG it is Karen sitting on a picnic table at a rest stop with no facilities. I talk to her as I go through refilling bottles and have a bite to eat. She says when I get off the interstate at Las Vegas we will be done with interstates for the rest of the trip. I-25 is a lot more difficult to negotiate, the on and off ramps are very short. It's only saving grace is the shoulders were in much better condition than both I-10 and I-40. Just after getting into town James catches up with me. He wants to stop at some dingy looking gas station for calories. I suggest Diary Queen, we turn in and soon there are six of us talking about what a good day this has been. Scott rides by going the other way to find the towns only bike shop because he has a broken water bottle cage. He comes back a short time later, the shop is closed till Thur. Ten of us go across the street from the motel to a local restaurant that features Mexican. I order chicken enchiladas because I am told the sauce is mild. On the first bite I get the hiccups. I tell the waitress that the dish is too hot and I settle for Bar b que beef sandwich and mashed potatoes. Bland but I'll live. I know that I have not been posting any pictures. there have been issues. So when I get back I'll do something about it. Besides I'm sure you only want to see the good ones. Looking forward to tomorrow.